Author: Jess Harter

⚾️ Tom’s Watch Bar, a Colorado-based chain of sports bars, has made its Arizona debut in downtown Phoenix just in time for the start of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ season. It takes over the former Hard Rock Cafe space (most recently

🍜 Shio Ramen & Crudo, a new concept from the owners of Sushiholic, has soft-opened on the ASU SkySong campus in south Scottsdale. It takes over the space formerly home to Clever Ramen, which closed last summer, on the southeast

🍖 Queen Creek Barbecue Co., a bricks-and-mortar restaurant from the owners of the Bama BBQ 4 Ever food truck, has opened in Queen Creek. It takes over the former OG’z Original Empanada Shop on the northwest corner of Ellsworth and

☕️ Moka & Co., a chain specializing in traditional Yemeni coffee, has made its Arizona debut in front of the Walmart on the southwest corner of Greenfield and the U.S. 60 in Mesa. Yemini coffee, made from beans cultivated on

🍣 California-based Kura Sushi, the country’s largest revolving sushi bar chain, has opened its third Valley location in north Scottsdale. It takes over the former Flo’s New Asian Cuisine at The Promenade on the southeast corner of Scottsdale and Frank

🍖 Mission BBQ, a Maryland-based chain dedicated to giving back to veterans, police, and firefighters, has made its Arizona debut near PV, the $2 billion redevelopment of the former Paradise Valley Mall in northeast Phoenix. The fast-casual restaurant is located

🍳 Da Kitchin Grill, an all-day restaurant that’s been under construction since 2022, finally has soft-opened in Ahwatukee. The new concept from Charles Stewart, a former managing partner at Biscuits and Cactus Jack’s, takes over the former Trattoria D’Amico space on

🍔 California-based microbrewery chain BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse officially opens its sixth Valley location today in Queen Creek. It’s located in front of Costco in the new Queen Creek Crossing Plaza on the northwest corner of Ellsworth and Queen Creek.

🍺 Sana Sana Cerveceria, a new craft brewery honoring the owners’ Mexican-American heritage, has soft-opened on Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix. It’s located near the southeast corner of Roosevelt and Fourth streets behind Modified Arts and just west of Greenwood Brewing and Il

🍚 Ricemill, a new Asian-inspired fast-casual concept, is scheduled to open Saturday in downtown Phoenix. The 1,789-square-foot restaurant will be located at the Collier Center near the southeast corner of Second Street and Washington. Ricemill’s menu features chef-curated rice bowls like

🐆 Filthy Animal – the latest concept from Pretty Decent Concepts, the team behind Phoenix hot spots Wren & Wolf, Chico Malo, and Carry On – has soft-opened in downtown Tempe. The wood-fired restaurant and its soon-to-open sibling cocktail bar

🐖 Liquor Pig, a much-anticipated gastropub from industry veterans Scott Casey and Steve ‘‘Chops’’ Smith, officially opens at 4 p.m. Friday in Old Town Scottsdale. It takes over the small brick building near the southeast corner of Scottsdale and Fourth

☕️ Jolt N Bolt, an independent coffeehouse and cafe, has opened on the northeast corner of Recker and Guadalupe in Gilbert. Besides a full range of coffee drinks, the beverage options include smoothies, shakes, juices, and lemonade. All-day breakfast features

🍔 Bad Jimmy’s, a pandemic-era burger pop-up that opened a bricks-and-mortar Phoenix restaurant in 2023, has launched a second location in Old Town Scottsdale. It takes over the former Starlite BBQ & Whiskey Bar on the northeast corner of Indian School and